For Church and Noble, the icebergs’ reflection of “every condition of atmosphere, and every amount of light and shadow” inspired awe. Sunset was a particularly dramatic opportunity that both Church and Noble relished. Noble writes, “If you would behold perfect brilliancy, gaze at the crest of an iceberg cutting sharply into [the] red heavens.” Eager to create opportunities to observe icebergs under different lighting conditions, Church and his companions once launched a flaming tar barrel over the side of their rowboat to illuminate an iceberg after dark.

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